November 1, 2010
Bieber, the platinum-selling singer/songwriter with the hair that launched a thousand trips to the salon, debuts with an account of his 16-year-old life that’s cheeky yet entirely in line with his safe and wholesome image. Published while Bieber is headlining a major North American tour, the book covers his upbringing in Ontario, his early introduction to music, YouTube stardom, his love of pranks, and the stratospheric success he now enjoys—all interspersed with lyrics, tweets, and numerous full-bleed photographs of Bieber in all his brown-eyed glory. Although Bieber’s insights, as he gives props to his family, God, and Usher, are wholly conventional, there’s no reason to think that the faithful won’t eat up every
behind-the-scenes tidbit and his message to “Get out of your comfort zone and go for it.” Ages 6–12.
January 1, 2011
With profuse thanks to fans, Bieber somewhat circuitously describes his rise to fame, from happy childhood in Ontario to YouTube popularity to record deal to his (heavily promoted) "My World" tour. The text delivers some clichid advice, but the sixteen-year-old's humility and goofiness are apparent. Numerous current photos, both staged and candid, are likely to be most enticing to fans.
(Copyright 2011 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
January 1, 2011
Gr 4-10-Interspersed with tweets, headline-sized quotes, and graphic, two-page chapter openings, this book has full-color slickness and loads of hype. Only 18 spreads in the entire book don't feature photos of the star. Divided into seven chapters, the text covers the show Bieber was working on while the book was written, his musical background, his family and hometown, how his music videos on YouTube created his fan base, getting a manager, and becoming a star. Within that outline, he attempts to give a sense of himself, as a regular kid who likes to play jokes, loves his family and friends, and is grateful for his success and his fans. For the boy who received a Range Rover for his 16th birthday, his tantrum in the rain after failing to pass his driver's test is rather entertaining. While this book will be popular only as long as Bieber maintains his popularity, it's likely to be worn out before fans are finished with this artist. Keeping the jacket poster will be a challenge, but the book cover displays the same image.-Janet S. Thompson, Chicago Public Library
Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.